Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Transgender Day of Remembrance

by: AFY_Julia

Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 3:15:00 PM EST

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This Saturday, November 20^th, I along with people around the world will come together to remember transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to hate based violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was established in the wake of the murder of Rita Hesler, a transgender woman, who died from over 20 stab wounds in 1998. Unfortunately, this form of horrifying violence persists today. In the past 12 months alone, 29 transgender people were reported murdered because of their gender identity and/or expression. You can read their stories here.

I first witnessed this form of extreme violence while volunteering with HIPS, an HIV prevention organization that provides services to sex workers in Washington DC. One of our transgender clients, who I had come to know and value over the years of working with HIPS, was brutally murdered last September. I was both deeply troubled by her death and also reminded of the daily need for me to speak out against transgender violence in my community. As I remember those who were brutally murdered out of hate on this day, I am also reminded of the daily injustices transgender people face. I’ve witnessed too many transgender individuals neglected by service providers, treated poorly by health professionals, profiled as sex workers by police officers, and discriminated against by employers. Violence against transgender people in our culture is not only physical, but pervades almost all aspects of our culture.

Young transgender people also face significant violence in our schools. According to GLSEN’s 2009 Report: Harsh Realities: The Experience of Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools, over 50% of transgender students have been physically harassed (eg. Pushed, shoved) in school because of their gender expression or identity, and almost all transgender students have been verbally harassed because of their gender expression or identity. This culture of violence in our schools has lead to higher drop out rates and suicide rates. It is time we take a stand against violence in all its forms including hate based violence in our schools, communities, organizations and government.

I am going to participate in Transgender Day of Remembrance because I want to remember my friend and all of those who experienced hate based violence, because I want to stand in solidarity with transgender people fighting against oppression, and because I want to continue to celebrate the presence of transgender people in my life. I hope you will join me.

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